Source: Xinhua

08-08-2008 11:45

BEIJING, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Argentine soccer national team's coach Sergio Batista said Thursday he is calm because the Barcelona club allowed at the last time forward Lionel Messi to play at the Olympic Games of Beijing.

Argentine soccer player Lionel Messi (L) takes part in a training  session in Olympic co-host city of Shanghai, east China, Aug. 6,  2008. (Xinhua/Pei Xin)

Batista said that Thursday's victory of 2-1 against Core d'Ivoire "was due, in an important part, to Messi performance "who made the first goal.

"We know our capacity, but knowing that Barcelona club allowed Messi to stay with us, reinforced our tranquility," Batista said.

All the team has a positive performance and Messi "played good for being his first game," Batista said.

Messi's participation in the Argentine soccer Olympic selection has been under suspense due to the Sports Arbitrage court has supported Barcelona club on not allowing Messi to attend the Olympics.

Finally, Barcelona accepted Batista's petition for Messi to play with the Argentine team, which is defending the gold medal they won in the Olympic Games of Athens 2004.

Barcelona club wanted Messi to play for its local and international competitions. Batista thanked Barcelona allowing Messi to stay with the Argentine team during the Olympics.

Messi, who is 21, opened the score at the minute 43 and Lautaro Acosta made the final goal at minute 86.

In its second match of the Group A, Argentina will play against Australia in Shanghai.

Editor:Yang Lina